Bullet train or the mind?

It was during the recent visit to Japan that the hosts had organised a travel on the famed Bullet Train that literally flies at 300 miles an hour. Though it was to be for the sake of an experience, however it turned out to be an education for us when Swami enquired about it.

“So, you have come by the bullet train?”, enquired Swami over dinner.

“Oh Yes Swami! It’s the fastest train on earth”, replied we, an excited lot. We also updated Him about the fact that the train could run in both directions, and the seats would rotate too.

“What is the fastest thing on earth?”, asked Swami as He glanced at His dinner plate.

Even as we were thinking about an appropriate answer He asked again, “Which is faster, the bullet train or the mind?”

And He answered Himself, “Mind is the fastest, for in one moment it can be here, and in another moment, it can be elsewhere in the Universe. However, just like the bullet train, the outward going mind can be turned inwards too. Just imagine if the mind can go outward at such a high speed and travel great distance in a trice; if only it is turned inwards it can also travel equally fast and reach the truth that we ought to attain.”

Man Eva Manushyaanam Karanam Bandh Mokshyoh, mind is responsible for bondage or liberation of man. The outward looking mind that causes bondage can be turned inwards and lead to liberation “, He elaborated.

Living with God is true education, for He can teach the greatest of the truth using the simplest of the examples.